Luminescent phosphinocrown-containing gold(I) complexes: Their syntheses, spectroscopic studies and host–guest chemistry

A series of phosphinocrown ether-containing gold(I) complexes, [Au(Ph2P-b15c5)Cl] (1), [Au2(μ-i-mnt)(Ph2P-b15c5)2] (2) and [Au2(μ-dtc)(Ph2P-b15c5)2](PF6) (3) (b15c5 = benzo-15-crown-5, i-mnt2− = 1,1-dicyanoethylene-2,2-dithiolate, dtc− = diethyldithiocarbamate) have been synthesized. Complexes 2 and 3 · NaPF6 have also been structurally characterized. The emission bands at ca. 500–515 nm for 2 and 3 upon photo-excitation are tentatively assigned as derived from excited states of S → Au ligand-to-metal charge transfer (LMCT) origin. These complexes have been shown to serve as host for the specific binding of various metal cations.

Graphical abstractA series of phosphinocrown ether-containing gold(I) complexes, [Au(Ph2P-b15c5)Cl] (1), [Au2(μ-i-mnt)(Ph2P-b15c5)2] (2) and [Au2(μ-dtc)(Ph2P-b15c5)2](PF6) (3) (b15c5 = benzo-15-crown-5, i-mnt2− = 1,1-dicyanoethylene-2,2-dithiolate, dtc− = diethyldithiocarbamate) have been synthesized. Complexes 2 and 3 · NaPF6 have also been structurally characterized. Their photophysical properties were studied and origins elucidated. These complexes have been shown to serve as host for the specific binding of various metal cations.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide